Mile 198 - Beachside State Park to Reynolds Creek - April 6, 2008

Report Details

There was not much litter to pick up, partly thanks to SOLV, but we did have a large styrofoam chunk, a big light bulb, and ssmall entanglements of fishing line. Although we could not identify several of our dead birds, they may be important by number...perhaps related to late cold storms, etc.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 1.2 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 6. Playing in sand: 1. Other Activities: walking with dogs. Beachside State Park is now open for the camping season, but we saw no violations.

Concerns

Apparent violations: none.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

No shorebirds in the presence of dogs. We did see 4-5 Western Gulls at waterline foraging, most likely on Mole Crab (Emerita Analoga). There were no major heaps of seaweed on the beach. Some empty Dungeness shells of varying sizes.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 12. We found remains of 12 birds...not leg bands. Eight were unidentifiable. We found 2 Black Legged Kittiwake and 2 Sooty Shearwater.

Driftline Content

Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam. Fishing line wrapped in debris, although not great amounts. Betty did find and discard a huge styrofoam chunk, small garbage can

Natural Changes

Visible retreat of solid bluff. Some sand erosion from winter undertow that has not been replaced by the high tides.